People often tell me how lucky Myles is growing up in a house with lots of cupcakes (no, he hasn’t had one yet). What I hope he gains from my Cupcake Project is a spirit of experimentation with food (not pounds – we’ll be teaching moderation). While I don’t care if he’s a doctor or a lawyer or good at baseball or basketball, I really hope that Jonathan and I are able to raise a foodie. I want him to care about what he puts in his body – to choose non-processed, fresh foods whenever possible – and to try new things. I’ll know that there will be days when he comes home from a friend’s house with a Happy Meal or eats candy whose ingredients I can’t even pronounce; it’s hard to avoid. But, in the end, I hope he learns to choose smoked Gouda on homemade whole grain bread over American cheese on Wonder Bread.

Myles is now seven months old and we are off to a good start with Baby-Led Weaning. But, we know that we’ve got a lot to learn.

Here’s where you come in:

Tell me what you are doing or have done to raise a future foodie. Did it work or did it backfire? If you don’t have kids, tell me about someone you know.

Your comment (with an email address) will enter you into a giveaway to win the adorable Future Foodie Onesie from the Spunky Stork (shown above on Myles) for a future foodie in your life. The onesie is made of 100% organic cotton and is super soft. It comes in two sizes, 0-6 months and 6-12 months (FYI – they run a bit big. Myles is now wearing 9 month clothes and the 6-12 month onesie is still quite huge on him).

For a second entry, share a tip, join in a conversation, or mention this giveaway on Twitter with the tag #futurefoodie.

I had my son come into the kitchen to watch me cook. He got to “assist” by stirring or (pretending to) flip a pancake. Although he’s only two, he knows that pancakes are best made from scratch (yes, he actually says that) and loves blueberry muffins. The other thing I did was have a very small garden in the back. He could see tomatoes growing and now strawberries. He can’t wait to pick them and eat them!

I wish more parents were like this with their kids! I work in restaurants and too often I see parents letting their kids drink pop and eat chicken strips with french fries. I was always given (and liked) a variety of foods when I was growing up. It has now made me into a non-picky eater who will try most things once and keeps herself educated about food. I think instilling healthy eating habits at a young age is the best thing you can do for your child’s health

My cousin is preggers w/ baby# 3 and if I win this, it’ll go to her for sure!She only buys organic baby food, but that’s only to have available if her own homemade food runs out. She makes her own baby food, using all natural, organic foods. She also seasons the food so that the baby gets used to things like garlic, cinnamon, etc. Now that her two kids are old enough to eat everything and anything, she feeds them like grown ups. Mac and cheese is homemade and has butternut squash and organic chicken breast in it, grilled cheese is made w/ smoked gouda, tomatoes and arugala. This is exactly the way I will be feeding my kids when I have them! I think it’s important to serve your kids these things now. If they don’t like them, fine. But how awesome is it when they are teenagers and they won’t be turning up their noses to a menu item that has ingredients like squash and arugala and other stuff that typically isn’t “kid-approved”

Exposure seems to be the key. The more tastes and textures the kids are exposed to, the greater variety of things they will try, and ultimately like.

Kendra eats what we eat, and has almost from the beginning. If she doesn’t like it, she doesn’t have to eat it – but she doesn’t get something else either. There is enough variety in every meal that there is something she likes.

For the foods she doesn’t like now, she is tasting them over and over again. Hopefully she will like them in future.

The past couple of months (she’s 21 months now) she has also discovered the joy of cooking, and planting seeds. She helped me plant our garden and is now interested in the little sprouts that are popping up.

We have one foodie already and can’t wait to start teaching the second! Our 6 yr old is in cooking classes and has her own supplies and cook books. She loves to help create and taste all the creative recipes we try. I started using cookie cutters to cut out PB&J sandwiches for her lunch, now she does it! We encourage her to try everything at least once! I don’t know many 1st graders that eat sushi and make an awesome Shirley Temple!

I do not have kids yet but my friend does and she cooks fresh local produce for her kids. She believes that cooking fresh is key to showing your kids different varieties of food and getting them to try things they might not otherwise with an unhealthy diet of junk food.

We also are doing baby-led weaning. My daughter loves being able to select what she wants off of my plate. Although sometimes she tries to put back food she didn’t like. We joined a CSA so it’ll be interesting to see her try all of the new vegetables this summer.

My daughter MUST try whatever it is that I have made. I don’t care if she ends up putting it in her “dunk” or even spitting it out. I want her to have a decent palet and not to be one of those “my kid only eat’s chicken fingers” kinda kid. NEVER!

People always tell me that I’m lucky that my 3 year old is so willing to try new foods but I think it was due to us always offering different things from a young age. I’ve also found that he’s more willing to try things if he’s watching or helping me make it.

I start early with making my own baby food purees and adding spices to teach them interesting flavor combinations early. Like adding curry to sweet potatoes, cinnamon to pears, etc. We live on a farm and raise our own grass fed lamb and beef as well as a vegetable garden, so we have a very open dialog about where our food comes from and the importance of whole, unprocessed foods.

Yesterday we fed our friend’s 4.5 month old mashed avocado. Today the 4.5 month old and I listened to NPR food podcasts on our walk. We practiced saying pistachio, after hearing a piece on the problems the Salmonella outbreak has had on pistachio sales. kasseljunkmail@gmail.com

My first “future foodie” is due in mid-June. My plan is to make as much baby food ourselves instead of buying jars. That way we can introduce a bigger range of flavors. And since husband and I like to work in the kitchen together, we’ll be bringing in the kid to help as soon as he/she is able.

Don’t give up if your son rejects something you want him to try. Sometimes it takes me several tries before my son will eat more than one bite of a particular food. And almost 100% of the time, if I persevere, he will eat it eventually and sometimes even ask for it.

My kids have been exposed to all the kinds of foods we eat and so far it’s paying off. There are a few things they’ve tried and given up on for now but they will at least try things. I have never made special “kid” meals for them.. they get what we eat. I have made some concessions in the hot chili department but that is about all. we include them in things like shopping trips, gardening, cooking too.

I am a pastry chef and am always in the kitchen baking something. Though I don’t have kids yet, I am pregnant (due in August!) and fully plan to have my daughter in the kitchen with me cooking and baking, and trying everything we make. I think it’s important that she is exposed to a variety of foods and tastes, and while she may not like all of them, tasting each one is key.

Hubby and I are on the same page and eat lots of international cuisine, so we intend to expose our daughter to the same thing. I think when kids help out in the kitchen, and take part in making the meal, they are more apt to try the food they just made. So that will be our strategy in exposing her to a variety of foods and ingredients.

There’s a fun book about this called “Hungry Monkey: A Food-Loving Father’s Quest to Raise an Adventurous Eater”. I’d recommend it not so much as a step by step guide to raising a foodie but to remind you that you’re not alone in your quest!

I’m making my own baby food for our 6-month old future foodie. It’s not working out so well, though. He eschews peas and carrots for pureed pears and mashed bananas. I guess he inherited his father’s sweet tooth.

I’m not sure how successful I was with my now grown girls, but I am excited that I have another opportunity to make an influence- my oldest daughter is expecting her first child in June and I am looking forward to helping out with many things, including food ( without being too much of an interfering grandmother!!)

my way of raising a future foodie is to not limit what he tries. my son is 3 now and eats (and prefers) fresh, cooked meals to any fast food and can taste the difference. he eats maki, curries, seaweed, miso, etc.. i wanted to develop his palate early on and feel i’ve succeeded! chon76 (at) hotmail.com

We grow a lot of our own fruits and veggies – which they love growing, picking and eating. They help with cooking. The kids fish with their dad and love bringing it home to eat for dinner. The rule in our house is to try it every time its served….sometimes they don’t like it one time but then love it another. And we don’t stop them from trying anything…who knew my 2 year old would LOVE horseradish..plain…by the spoonful?! And we minimize fast food, sweets, candies etc…they know those things are for special occasions and isn’t as healthy as what we normally eat.Jere james106@snet.net

My daughter gets almost free-range in the kitchen with me. she loves to eat everything (her favorite is diced tomatoes). she gets to rummage through the cookbooks (kept at her height) when she pleases and gets to stand on a chair or stool to help stir or just look at what’s cooking. she now has her own little play kitchen (kept in our kitchen) with her own little baking set (complete with wisk and rolling pin). I am expecting a boy this august and will make all his baby food purees from organic fruits and veggies like I did for his big sister. thanks for the giveaway offer!

When my daughter was little (She’s almost 20 now) She wouldn’t eat veggies.. beans, onions, carrots things like that. So, whenever I had a recipe that called for any vegie she would pick out of her food, I would puree part of it, and add it to the mix, that way she got the vegies she needed, even tho she thought she was picking them all out. -chuckles- works for anything really.

plus, when baking, I substitute almost all th eoil with applesauce, not just half. . . and most the time no one ever knows the difference.

All of the above, really. As soon as he can let him ‘help’ in the kitchen by dumping ingredients into a mixing bowl and stirring with a spoon. My son Owen is 2 (and his little sister is due any day now), and he’s been doing this with me since he was about 22 months.

Be sure to expose him to a variety of foods and spices early (Owen loves hummus and not-too-spicy Indian food), and let him taste what you’re chopping up or cooking (raw mushrooms are Owen’s favorite these days). Unfortunately, he’s started getting picky about ‘green bits’ but I just keep putting them on his plate with the hope that he’ll get back into them someday!

I already posted, but I just have to say that breastfeeding for at least 6 months is one of the best ways to get your baby used to different tastes and flavors as long as the mommy has a good varied diet.. and it’s soooo good for baby and mama!

I have four kids within 5 years of age, and no I do not have multiples. My youngest just turned one and loves garlic, cinnamon, veggies and pretty much anything she can get her hands on. I have found that kids taught at a young age will make good choices when they are older. My five and a half year old refuses soda when offered at parties, her favorite food is broccoli, and she asks for sugar free food items. She is also a big advocate for no artificial colors. My four and a half year old prefers salads over any other food and his motto is , “try it, you’ll like!”. All my friends are envious that my kids eat a variety of food instead of chicken nuggets, (which they refuse to eat) and other bad food. Teach them young but let them make their choices, force it on them and they will go the other way and eat the stuff you don’t let them have when you are not around, which leads to other things being done in secret when they are older. runnerrower@yahoo.com

I’m not a parent (yet) but my “tip” for raising a foodie is to never cook separate food. As long as there’s no medical reasons to avoid a food ever or before a certain age (size/shape/allergens), I say give to them. Of course they’ll have favorites and non-favorites (don’t we all?!?), but they’ll learn to appreciate (or at least deal with) all kinds of foods.

Bring them into the kitchen with you and involve them in the meal making process as soon as they are able. Even if this means letting them make a mess. Give them tastes of things as they are cooking – you taste, then they taste. Show them that food and eating not just what you do for sustenance but also what you do for connection as well. Show them variety and require them to taste. I am not suggesting that you force them to eat a particular thing but they must learn to try. This will teach them to experiment in their eating and even if they go through finiky stages, they will remember and value the importance of variety. Most of all – be enthusiastic and positive about food and all that it means and they will learn by your example!

My boys are 14,12,and 10. They are adventuresome eaters! I didn’t make my own baby food, but started feeding them stuff from my plate mashed up with my fork pretty young. We’ve always fed them a huge variety, and expected them to try it. At my oldests 12 month check up he said the word “mangoe,” the Dr. was shocked that he knew what that was! We have traveled with the boys a lot and it has had a big impact on what they have tried. Dried herbs on pita bread for breakfast in Jordan was a stretch…but one of the 3 loved it! Sushi in Japan, again one of the 3 loved it, but it was a different one! One will eat barely and veggies at the moment… but I know it will pass. The other two fight over broccoli and cabbage. I’ve always encouraged, but never made a big deal over dislikes. If they won’t eat many veggies for a few months, I increase the fruit on the table. Two of the 3 like to help me cook, the other not so much. My advice is just keep the good food coming to the table. They will eat it!

Love it! My son is 9 months old and since we started feeding him I have him what ever we make. Everything in our house is homemade and we love experimenting, and Isaac my son Loves to help. (maybe just by watching a holding a spoon) But I thing even watching is good. So far so good for us, He is not at all a picky eater. eats almost everything, is great about picking up and putting in his mouth-and he has never rejected anything I have given him. Good luck with your some I have the same hope for mine Love the Shirt I might buy one if I dont win it 😉

My 8 year old is in on everything I do in the kitchen. He wants to get in there and help all of the time (and I let him), and he’s always been absolutely wonderful about tasting new things. My rule has always been, “Just take a bite to see if you like it.” And I never make a separate dinner for my child. If we’re having duck or sushi for dinner, the kid has duck or sushi too!

I’m nowhere near having my own kids; I’m a student just discovering the magic of food. I was the pickiest eater as a child – potatoes were about the only thing I’d eat. My family always served healthy, fresh meals, and I was always made to try whatever was on the table, but sometimes (most of the time), I just didn’t like it. I think I gagged on about 30 different kinds of fish before I finally was allowed to stop trying it. My brothers ate everything. Now, however, I’m truly discovering how beautiful fresh ingredients are and how exciting cooking is, and I think the secret is just the fact that we had sit down family dinners every night. Even if I didn’t like what we were eating, this habit made it clear that food and family were important, things to be savored. The moral of the story being – there are kids who just won’t like things, but as long as the value of fresh food and family time are made clear, don’t give up hope!

I don’t have any little ones of my own *yet,* but my mother raised me well. I have a love of the kitchen, creating delicious and healthy meals, and I enjoy sharing what I can make with others. My mom always made us try anything once, never said “you won’t like that” or “trust me, you’ll like this.” She encouraged us to test thing for ourselves, deciding if something was good or not, and that made us trust her with our food. Our family only opened a 2-liter bottle of soda pop once a week and shared it for a treat, and we didn’t really keep junk food in the house. We didn’t eat out very often either – only as a reward for good grades, or a special occasion. I now enjoy trying new foods, am not a picky eater, and I tend to like more healthy meals!

My family has always gathered around food, and holidays are especially wonderful because of this. As soon as we were able to hold a spoon, my mother and grandmother involved my brother and I in preparing for family dinners and other events, and I learned a wealth of skills and information on how to cook and nourish people.

I am so thankful for my mom and how she taught us to love the kitchen and what comes out of it, and I hope to pass on the same to my children!

i tried to feed my son (now 3) all sorts of different food…but to no avail. he is currently a very picky eater. but i still have hope because he tried something new the other day and ate it all. my daughter (almost 1) eats most things with gusto. she’s never been one for purees though. so i just started feeding her from my plate. she loves being able to feed herself and can “chew” just fine with her two bottom teeth. 😀

We have 3 future foodies–2 already in good standing as my 20 month old is still learning to eat some of the “weirder” stuff. From early on, my children were breastfed until they weaned themselves, and when old enough, ate homemade baby food (ever tasted the stuff in a jar? Blah!). When they moved to table foods, they ate what we ate. We refused to make them a different “kiddie kibble” meal. Yes, they have had boxed mac n cheese when we don’t have leftovers and leave them with a teen sitter for date night, but my oldest son (6) complains and only wants the “real stuff”. One tip we have tried when raising our foodies has mostly been to reduce the amount of “heat” in spicy dishes we make, then spice it up at the table for ourselves (my hubby likes it REDHOT!) That way we don’t get complaints of our curry being “too spicy” and they tend to eat it better. Thats really the only time we make something a little more “kid friendly” But they have eaten homemade bread at least several times a week, homemade cheeses, veggies and fruits from our garden–and even frog’s legs. We don’t want to be those parents who give a pbj if you don’t like dinner. Another tip we have tried is to put at least 1-2 things on your childs plate that you know they’ll eat, and then some of new stuff or stuff they have previously refused. It takes a lot of tries to like it. And so far its working, my kids eat most everything we do. For examples of what we feed them, see my hubbies blog: http://www.moonlitkitchen.com

I have two children, aged 8and 3. I often get comments on how well my children eat and how lucky I am. I’ve never really thought of it as luck, it’s just upbringing.

Here are the tips I’ve passed along from what I’ve learned and from my parents:

Don’t cook separate meals. You are not a short order cook. Barring any food allergies or other dietary concerns (i.e. no shellfish before 2 etc.) there is no reason they cannot eat what you do. We are mindful to have a not-so-spicy version if we are cooking spicy meals, but most often they will want the spicy version too.

Include lots of fresh veggies and meats. Go to local farmers markets or organic produce stores. Grown a small container garden. Involve them in picking out new recipes for veggies, and asking questions of where food comes. Mostly, stay away from processed food as much as possible.

Lead my example. If you do not eat half of what you put on their plate, they will not either. Make meals a family affair. You hear it all the time, but it’s true.

Don’t bring “their” food when you go to a friends house or go to gatherings. Again, this does not apply if there are allergies present, or if they are still not completely on table food. Besides those factors, it is rude to show up as company and teach them it’s allright to refuse to eat the food the hosts have prepared for you. Teach them that they should at least try the “new” food. Sitting down with a microwaved hot dog or crackers is simply not an option. (And yes, I’ve had people do this to me many times).

I don’t have any little ones but I have “raised” a foodie boyfriend. My boyfriend of four years comes from a family that eats very simply. My Italian father taught me to love food at any early age. He often traveled to Asia for work and so I grew up eating as much curry and pad Thai as I did spaghetti and meatballs. The true heart of my home is our kitchen. So, I wanted to share this with my boyfriend.

We began slowly and with common foods like Hummus and noodle dishes. I alternate the new and exciting with familar, comfort fodos. For example, one day I’ll make sweet potato curry and the next day I’ll make a tuna casserole but I always add an element of sophistication (like leeks and smoked Gouda).

Before I started cooking for him, he couldn’t wait to go back to his parents “meat and potatoes”, boiled dinners. Now, he can’t wait to get away from them. Sharing a love of food is a wonderful thing but its important not to push your loved one too far or too quickly.

I messed up pretty badly early on. Growing up we rarely had fresh foods and my mother liked junk as much as we did. We weren’t taught properly. So when it came to feeding my daughter for the first few years I just tried to make her happy with processed foods or basic fruit and vegetables, steering away from the junkiest of it thinking I was doing ok.

When she was 5 I realized she was picky and it was all my fault! We would eat beautiful healthy meals and I would make her a Kid Cuisine to make her happy.

So from then on we’ve been making/forcing her eat what we do. She has to eat all kinds of vegetables, fruits and a huge variety of food other kids probably haven’t been introduced to yet.

It took two solid years of misery, but now she thinks it’s normal to enjoy things like hummus with homemade whole wheat pitas, or chilled edamame in her lunch.

I know you’ll do better then I did those first few years. It took me awhile to realize my daughter would be ok if she didn’t eat much the first few times she tried something new.

If I could offer you any advice, it’s what you already know. Introduce your little boy to everything, and do it early. Even a little spicy food too, since many children don’t even notice the spice.

I just make good and healthy food available for my son. He just wants to join in so I give him nothing but good choices.Also he helps grow his favorite veggies in the garden so he learns to enjoy food all together.

Adorable! Wish they made that in my size. heehee. When I talk to high school students, I always tell them that just because they hate the taste of something now, doesn’t mean they always will. Just as their taste in music and clothing changes, so does their taste in food. For many of them, that’s an eye-opening statement. Hopefully, it encourages them to be more adventurous “foodies.” 😉

I think that there are wonderful ideas here, but I would add persistence. My little guy is 16 months old, and if he rejects something the first time, we just give him another opportunity on a different day. He is really picky with textures, but I just keep at it. For most things, he has eventually come around and learned that it really is good. I really want him to love healthy, non-processed food, so every bit on the floor is worth it in the long run.

My brother and his wife are expecting their first child in just over two months. My brother, Chris, is the ultimate foodie, he loves everything – healthy and not. His wife also loves food and she’s big on baking. I know their kid is bound to be a little chef/baker in no time. Although, it’s important to raise the kid on quality ingredients and sophisticated dishes rather than those that taste great, but aren’t very nutritious. That way your child will be healthy and will have a great taste palette! This onsie would be a perfect gift for my soon-to-be-niece-or-nephew…

As I am currently pregnant with my first baby, I’m trying to eat a wide variety of flavors and spices. I’m hoping that the baby is developing a taste for quality food while still in the womb. I’ll have to get back to you whether it works though!!

I don’t have kids, but think my boss is doing a great job raising foodies. At restaurants, he simply doesn’t even mention that there’s a kids menu. At 5 years, his girls are more adventurous eaters than even I am, even ASKING for sushi.

After seeing my mother-in-law struggle with my husband’s little brother, 7, I knew we did not want to fight with our son over food. The 7 year old eats chicken nuggets, steak, fries, and drinks juice or soda. We decided with our son to let him try anything and not tell him “You probably won’t like it.” He loves fruits and vegetables and to help in the kitchen when possible. We buy a variety of foods and try not to plan the same meals repeatedly. He has a little brother coming in July and we hope to be as successful with him.

Kids do the majority of their learning from their parents and more often than not become passionate about the same things. By simply sharing your knowledge and encouraging your kid to appreciate food your child will surely follow in your footsteps and at the very least be conscious of what he is eating. The most important thing is teaching him how to cook. By being able to cook the good stuff he won’t reach for the bad. This is how my parents made a foodie out of me and I haven’t looked back since!

My daughter is now four, and we fed her mostly what we ate. When an infant I always made her baby food, and we did not eat processed foods a lot. Her favorite baby food was a mix of quince puree with mashed bananas. Later, her regular evening meal was salmon and potatoes with spinach soup. Now fast forward…. they tend to hit an age when they become picky, and resist new foods, go off foods they loved. Daycare did not help too, as they ate pretty badly there. So I now have a four year old that eats mac and cheese, from a box, I first prepared mac and cheese from a box a few months ago, after I learned that was her favorite food at daycare. She lives off cheese and tortillas, plain bland stuff. She ditched the salmon and the spinach and all the other stuff she used to love. So the moral of my story is it takes more than your willingness to make them a foodie. I hope she will rebound and return to having a proper taste in food. Of course, this is my daughter, with her unique make-up, personality and set of circumstances. So maybe yours will always be the adventurer, but don’t beat yourself up if it does not go to plan, at least temporarily.

My daughter will be one this month and she is an amazing eater! I try to serve her at least some of what we are eating at every meal and have noticed lately that she checks to see our plates. We sit down at the table together for meals as much as possible and I think this has helped. I love to cook and can’t wait to have a sous-chef helping me in the kitchen! We are moving soon and I plan to make the kitchen a baby friendly place for her to explore and play in:)

I don’t have kids but I live with my brother’s family with their three kids. The oldest one is definitely a foodie and he’s 7 now! he watched me making cakes and cook hundreds of time, helped me crack the eggs and I let him weigh ingredients since he was little, I just need to give him the recipe. I taught him how to make omelet and about to teach him pate a choux! he LOVES good food, he loves watching food channel with me and make good comments. I teach him about different herbs, and ingredients and what the role of each ingredient in cake. He knows what’s healthy and good and he choose them. He gets excited whenever I make salmon in puff pastry, grilled asparagus, with parmesan, pasta, something with berries, instead of the kids meal. He’s definitely going to be a smart foodie!!

I totally involve my daughter, who will be four in a few days, in pretty much everything I do in the kitchen, and have from the get go. Always encouraged her to try new foods, always make sure she tastes a little bit of everything, let her help whenever possible. I also let her help pick out foods at the grocery store, learn what to do with different foods, experiment, pick at least part of the meal whenever possible. We also try to grow veggies, too, so she can see the whole process, and look at other peoples’ gardens, too. She loves it, and will play cooking games all the time, and is a much more adventurous eater than many of her peers as a result, so I really feel like I may just have a future foodie on my hands!

I don’t have kids yet. We hope to have them someday. My husband and I are both foodies.

Almost everyweek searching the web, I send links to my friends & family with babies &/or toddlers that give recipes to make homemade baby food. Or at least kid-friendly organic & gourmet meals. I am always trying out new recipes for the children in my life and getting them to tell me their favorite foods. Of course, pizza is one of them =), so i have perfected the most delcious homemade veggie pizzas.

I have two kids and I have always made their baby food. I try to season it with plenty of herbs and spices so they get used to different flavors. Plus, my husband and I have two rules about food: 1) The kids are not allowed to say “I don’t like this” when food is on the table…they have try everything first and then decide if they like it or not and 2)when they are offered something new by other people we never assume they won’t like it, we always allow them to try new things and let them decide for themselves. Also, instead of buying everything pre made at the store I try to make as much as I can myself and involve my children in the making of doughnuts, bread, cookies, ice cream, pasta…being involved in the confection of things allows them to appreciate what they are eating a lot more. Those were the rules when I was growing up and they worked for me.

I don’t have kids yet, but I picked up a tidbit that I think is worth sharing – something I picked up from a stranger that I plan to do when the time comes for me.

I once spoke with a woman in a line at a high end candy shop where she was buying a box of chocolates, she said, for her children. I thought that’s some pretty nice candy to give your kids. She read my mind and explained that she gives them the fancy candy as a rare treat, but NEVER gives them anything you can buy at the store, no foil wrapped kisses, easter candy, candy bars. She wants them to have an appreciation for the fine chocolates so that they won’t be tempted by the lesser stuff, and thus stay healthier for it as well.

We’ve always tried new things with our son so he doesn’t grow up to be a picky eater. When we first started baby food, I made my own and mixed flavors to make it more interesting for his taste buds. We don’t allow for fast food or sweets yet because we want him to love healthy foods first.

My sister makes all my baby niece’s food at home- she eats pureed vegetables and fruit. When they visited me for a few days, she tried to feed her canned baby food and she hated it! I think it’s a sign of a future foodie that she loves good homemade food so much already. : )

Well, I have successfully raised 3 foodies. My kidlets are almost 6, almost 4 and just 2. All boys. All foodies. I think just appreciating food is what did it for us. We love a placed called Earth Far in Raleigh, NC. They put our different cheeses all the time and I can honestly tell you, my kids are cheese snobs! They more pungent the better and they like them all! I think experimenting with a variety of flavors molded that part of their foodie-ness. And we like to eat a lot of different foods. The kidlets eat what we eat whether it be Mexican, Japanese, Israeli… they have been exposed to all types and kinds of food since day 1 and it shows. People are amazed at what my kids eat. While most kids beg for chicken nuggets, mine beg for Sushi (their favorite).

I wholeheartedly believe if you want a child to be a foodie (a respect of food that comes from a love of food), then they need exposure. Thats’ not to say one cant be a foodie if they weren’t around different foods. I wasn’t. Our menu at home was very cyclical. Not much variance, no high quality ingredients persay. We didnt eat out much. But I always loved to watch cooking shows. I dreamed of being a chef when I was 3 watching Great Chefs of the World on PBS. I think that is what made ME a foodie…. so I had exposure, just in a different way then my children.

I am “auntie” to my friends’ 1-yr-old son. I’ve watched him learning about food with his parents, and it’s really a hoot. They encourage him to try a bit of whatever they’re eating–chicken, pasta, strawberries, etc. He LOVES strawberries! They’ve also been teaching him sign language, and he’s constantly walking up to people, signing for strawberries.

Last week, I had a fruit smoothie at Nugget Market–just orange, lemon, and grapefruit juices blended with ice. No added sugar. I gave him a taste, and he made the most awesome “sour face”! Then he grabbed for my cup because he wanted more! Kids are so fantastic, and one of the best things in the world is watching them learn about food. He’s a bit too old for the onesie, so I’ll leave my email off, but I wanted to share.

I really want my daughter to grow up wanting good, fresh, healthy food. We plan on starting that early. She is eating baby food now, but when she gets into table food I want to stay away from fast food and overly processed foods.

I have exposed my kids to a variety of veggies and fruits from the start. I made their baby food from scratch and always offered table foods that we like to eat. I think my kids eat way better than I do!I encourage them to help me in the kitchen. We go grocery shopping together and we spend a good time picking our fruits and veggies. There has been times when my daugther will get picky. But I just never ever gave into the other stuff she wanted, like cookies. (thats a lie, sometimes I had to bribe her, but not always)

I don’t have kiddos yet, but of course I want any babies of mine to love delicious, fresh food! I’m going to try to avoid as many commercials as possible–I know when I was little I wanted the cereal with the cartoon characters and the drinks with the catchy slogans.

Let’s just put it this way, she knows who Rick Bayless is just seeing him or talking about his restaurants. She saw him in person downtown at XOCO. We take her out to eat all the time and are always making interesting things at home. Our latest venture has been cooking things from the Momofuku cookbook. The kid isn’t even three yet and she has eaten so many different kinds of food. Now I let her help me make things. She loves being able to help.

I don’t have kids (yet) but I have 2 beautiful nephews and my sister is amazing with them. She cooks all the time and my 3 year old nephew LOVES cooking with her. Just last week he helped her make sourdough bread, then an artichoke/olive spread to put on the bread, topped with a soft-boiled egg. He looked at me and said, “my favorite this is the red in the artichoke spread – that’s Pimentos!!!” What 3 year old knows about pimentos. I can’t wait to have kids to cook with and teach about all things food! I’m a pastry chef and i’m in LOVE with cupcakes right now, just can’t get enough. Love your blog. Thanks!